Soon, the banquet was bustling with activity, and the elders were no longer as reserved as when they had arrived. At this moment, Kangxi stepped down from the dragon throne, ascended the platform, and his expression became serious and solemn. He washed his hands in a silver basin, and after a long while, he raised his hands in a deep bow, quietly gazing at the sky in devout prayer. The audience below remained silent, all with their hands clasped together and heads bowed.

"In this life, it is easy to accomplish great things, easy to achieve success, but difficult to finish well. Those who are good at beginnings must be careful at the end, and those who value the elderly must stand firm in the new. Since ancient times, no one is perfect. May Heaven bless the elderly and bless all people. Heaven silently observes my heart and hopes to protect and safeguard them. The Qing Dynasty belongs to all people. May all people respect and love the elderly, and may peace and auspiciousness forever await the Qing Dynasty!"

Everyone was carefully considering Kangxi's prayer. Kangxi stepped back, bowed three times respectfully, turned around, and smiled, saying, "The worship of Heaven is over. Please sit down. I am very pleased that you elders could come to the capital to attend the Thousand Elders Banquet today. The journey has been long and arduous, and you have all suffered..." After saying this, Li Dequan handed over a cup of wine, which Kangxi accepted and said to everyone below, "I will first offer a toast before everyone sits down..." After saying this, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The elders raised their wine cups respectfully to Emperor Kangxi, shouting, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" After saying this, they all drank the wine in their cups before taking their seats.

At the banquet, Kangxi looked at the thousand people below the stage and suddenly remembered that everyone present had experienced his life. If he wanted to ask himself whether he had done anything wrong in court, he could just ask them.

Emperor Kangxi put down his wine cup and asked the crowd, "I would like to ask you all: have I been a wise ruler in my lifetime?"

Kangxi's gaze was piercing, his words stern and authoritative. Those below, hearing Kangxi's question, fell silent, heads bowed, not daring to utter a sound. The atmosphere immediately became tense; they exchanged glances privately, but no one dared to answer…

Emperor Kangxi smiled and said, "I just want to hear more from the people. Just speak your mind, and I will not blame you!"

The old men looked at each other, but no one stood up.

At this moment, an old man shakily rose to his feet, bowed deeply to Emperor Kangxi, and then began to speak in a low voice: "If Your Majesty wishes to ask whether I am a wise ruler, this old man dares not presume to comment. But this old man knows that Your Majesty ascended the throne at the age of eight, and in your youth defeated the powerful minister Oboi, restoring power to the Qing Dynasty. Afterwards, you quelled the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories and recovered Taiwan. Based on these achievements, Your Majesty is indeed a wise ruler, possessing profound merit and martial prowess..."

Hongli recognized the man at a glance as the old man he had just helped. He was surprised by the old man's words and actions and felt great admiration for him.

After the old man finished speaking, Kangxi was deeply moved. He gazed at the old man for a long time, then smiled and toasted him, saying, "I am greatly comforted to hear your stern words. I toast you with a cup..." He then downed the cup in one gulp, his mood greatly improved. Seeing Kangxi's beaming face and the atmosphere easing considerably, some of the people below tried to rise, adding their own exaggerated comments to Kangxi's speech...

"The Emperor personally led the campaign against Galdan, safeguarding imperial power and territory; his actions were truly divine and wise..."

"The Emperor defended the Kazakhs, drove out the Russian invaders, and protected the well-being of all people. What else could he be but a wise ruler?"

"The Emperor loves his people like his own children, and the Qing Dynasty is prosperous and peaceful. This is truly the work of a wise ruler..."

"The Emperor quelled rebellions from all sides and provided disaster relief and rescue to the people. Heaven and earth witnessed this, and all the people felt it. He truly deserves the title of a wise ruler..."

...

The scene was filled with cheers and applause, with everyone chiming in. Kangxi was greatly pleased and frequently burst into laughter. Laughter echoed throughout the Yuanmingyuan Garden…

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